VII Convention of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions, which took place in Minsk on 11 December, summarized results of activities of the organization during the three years and indicated ways for further development of the trade union center. “We proved the truth that it is worth struggling in any situation even if chances for success are minimal” – these words of leader of the Congress Alexander Yaroshuk could easily be considered the event’s leading idea.

Summarizing results of activities of the Convention, Alexander Yaroshuk, Chairperson of trade union center noted that the organization, irrespective of difficulties, managed to reach certain results. So, the leader considers an important victory of the Congress restoring the BCDTU seat at the National Council on Labor and Social Issues (NCLSI) and participation of the organization in drafting of the General Agreement on Wages and Tariffs. Among recent important achievement is the restoring beneficial coefficient applied to calculate office rental fees for trade unions.

Alexander Yaroshuk noted: “We proved the truth that it is worth struggling in any situation even if chances for success are minimal”.

Alexander Yaroshuk stressed the importance of the fact that during the past period the BCDTU became a recognized legal subject of the international trade union movement.

- Today many of our partners are present here, - mentioned Alexander Yaroshuk, and we say them words of gratitude for trade union assistance and support.

Presenting the program of future activities of the Congress, Alexander Yaroshuk underlined that the most important objective is development of the dialogue with the Government. Having appreciated political will of the Government, which resulted in first steps on restoring trade union rights, Alexander Yaroshuk stated that the trade union center expects further steps to implement the ILO Recommendations. First of all - revocation of registration principle of creation and activities of trade unions, because without this it is very difficult to speak about development of independent trade union movement and creation of new trade union organizations at enterprise level. Alexander Yaroshuk urged to “avoid excessive illusions in relation to cloudless future and get prepared for further tests”.

The BCDTU leader considers growth of membership of independent trade unions one of the most important objectives.

- We need to continue with the educational programs and seminars, train leaders and expand the scope of informational activities. It is necessary to widen the area of social partnership to make sure that all registered trade union organizations have a collective bargaining agreement and branch trade unions have a tariff agreement.

According to Alexander Yaroshuk, all this would ensure competitiveness of independent trade unions and BCDTU in general in the sphere of trade union activities.

The delegates that took the floor, referred to a number of key issues the Congress leadership should pay attention to. They think that protection of rank-and-file activists from pressure of employers shall become a priority. On top of this the Congress should concentrate on activities of primary organizations on regional and enterprise level.

Then Alexander Yaroshuk awarded BCDTU activists with letters of commendation.

Delegates of the Convention highly appreciated results of activities of the Congress’ leadership. This conclusion can be made as Alexander Yaroshuk was re-elected the BCDTU Chairperson by absolute majority of votes: 72 out of 74 delegates voted for him. Nickolay Kanakh was elected his Deputy by collecting more votes compared to his contender, Serguey Antusevich, leader of the BITU primary organization at Open Joint Stock Company “Grodno-Nitrogen”.

Gennady Fedynich, Chairperson of the Belarusian Radio and Electronics Workers’ Union (REWU), invited to the Convention, delivered a statement of the Council of his organization addressed to the delegates. He wished successful and fruitful work, solution of internal problems and noted: “Today you said a lot about the Congress. I have to say that bad organizations do not exist and you need to believe in what you have created and improve it”.

- “Event though the dust is thrown in our eyes we would succeed in building our Belarus, - these were the words that Gennady Fedynich ended his speech with.

It is necessary to mention that in their statements a number of delegates touched the issue of unity of trade union movement in Belarus and REWU accession to BCDTU. So, Ivan Perminov, leader of BITU noted that sees no obstacles for it and hopes that soon the REWU emblem would appear at the BCDTU banner becoming a forth symbol on it.

The Convention was attended by more than twenty foreign guests, representing national trade union centers from Denmark, Finland, France, Holland, Poland, Russia, Sweden and Ukraine. Majority of them voiced welcoming addresses to the Convention.

Alexander Mikhailov, a representative of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia noted an active and persistent position of BCDTU in relations with employers. According to him, it is exactly this fact explains prestige and respect of the independent trade union center both in Belarus and the international arena. “FNPR and BCDTU established links of brotherhood, friendship and active cooperation”, - underlined Alexander Mikhailov. On behalf of FNPR he assured that the Russian trade unions would take all necessary efforts to develop and strengthen further cooperation with BCDTU.

The Convention received a lot of welcoming messages. So, Leonid Kozik, Chairperson of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus (FPB) wished successful work to its delegates on behalf of FPB’s four million members. He expressed surety that objectives of FPB and BCDTU coincide: they are aimed at successful development of our country and suggested the two trade union centers unite efforts in order to fulfill the most important tasks of trade unions.

As Alexander Yaroshuk noted, a welcoming address of FPB evidences that today the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions is a “real factor in social and economic policy of the state, in the sphere of labor relations, social partnership and social dialogue”.

The Convention was attended by representatives of international organizations.

Dimitrina Dimitrova, a representative of the International Labor Organization (ILO) expressed gratitude to the delegates for the opportunity to take part in this important event. She stressed that the ILO is supposed to coordinate relations between employers and trade unions, which have different initial objectives and aims. Dimitrina Dimitrova noted that the ILO has an important mission in Belarus - to ensure implementation of the ILO Recommendations. She assured the delegates that the ILO would continue its support to independent trade union movement aimed at protection of interests of workers, especially in the context of the forthcoming privatization.

Delegates of the Convention adopted a number of documents: statements, Resolution of VII Convention of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions and final statement.

Commenting on results of the Convention’s activities Alexander Yaroshuk told to “Trade Union Movement of Belarus”:

- Formally, it was possible to feel calm because we were able to present results of our work during these three years and to tell people about achievements. However, I have not met anyone who was calm. Emotions are always present in our life. I am very glad that people trust me and I was re-elected as there is a lot of work to be done. The words about our work are an advance to us. We are entering the responsible period of our activities, which, in my view, would require much more flexible strategy, seeking new approaches to solving new problems. Now we are an organization, which participates in social partnership on the national level. Naturally, this requires absolutely new approaches absolutely new approaches to activities – starting from the enterprise level and finishing with the national level.